How such a tragedy could have happened twice in a matter of months was on everybody’s mind. Insurance investigators, Deer Isle fire chief Brent Morey and state fire marshal John Morse had examined the site, but as of mid-January the cause of the fire had not been determined. Deer Isle fire chief Brent Morey, asked
Sea Soup: Zooplankton
Sea Soup: Zooplankton features images by Yarmouth photographer Bill Curtsinger. The book was published by Tilbury House, Publishers, in conjunction with the Gulf of Maine Aquarium. Written for grades 3-7, Sea Soup: Zooplankton’s photographs and text explore the sea and the wide variety of drifting marine life. This book complements its companion title published previously,
A Change of Course: New ruling could alter groundfish management
This latest indictment of fisheries management could indicate that the current regulatory plan and structure are effectively unable to deal with the issues, and potentially opens the door to alternative management directions. On Dec. 28 the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) had failed to
For island schools, funds are in short supply
“It’s been terribly underfunded forever, basically,” said George Joseph, part-time superintendent for Vinalhaven’s school. “If Vinalhaven goes to a basketball game, it’s not just driving to Waldoboro. It’s a night out with motel rooms, meals and so forth.” Because of island schools’ distance from mainland goods and services, everything costs more. The per pupil cost
Casco BayKeeper addresses a region’s pollution, one problem at a time
The woman’s story is an indicator that the health of the bay has improved, says Payne, but he’s quick to add that he can give more objective evidence as well. “Ten years ago, 49 percent of the bay’s clam flats were closed due to pollution,” he says. “Now, that number is in the teens, a
Islanders publish their own phone book
The new directory was the brainchild of Peg Astarita, a resident of Peaks Island. “Everywhere I went,” says Astarita, “I heard islanders, especially the older folks I’d come into contact daily, saying that we needed an alternative to the big Portland book. What they wanted was something compact and easy to handle, but with a
Learning that language can hurt
This was the second such workshop conducted for Islesboro Central. The first half-day workshop was last August at a staff in-service day. Another workshop involving the community is planned for this spring. Funding for these workshops is provided by state grants under the REAP program. “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names can
Calendar, airline worries conspire against the lobster industry
Of all star-crossed years for Christmas and New Year’s Day to fall on a Tuesday, it had to be this one. Air travelers are staying home in droves this fall, a fact that should have translated into a healthy spike in domestic orders for Maine’s favorite seafood. Lobster could have provided a luxurious centerpiece for
Yuletide Murder in Eastport
What’s Christmas in Eastport without a good murder? Well, for resident amateur detective Jacobia Tiptree, the holiday season is definitely not complete. And she goes about solving it masterfully in Sarah Graves’ latest mystery, Wreck the Halls. Not surprisingly, this one is beautifully constructed, with a host of suspects, all of them logical and all
Refitted SUNBEAM offers telemedical services
For 100 years, islands in the Gulf of Maine and those who live on them have benefited from the Maine Sea Coast Missionary Society’s efforts. This 100-year-old organization’s newest venture — its vessel Sunbeam now offers telemedicine services to distant island communities — combines cutting-edge technology with old-fashioned neighborly concern. Islesboro resident Sharon Daley, the